US Ski Team Gives Back

Burke Mountain Academy’s Nordic Christmas Camp was made special by the presence and enthusiastic help of US Ski Team Coach Matt Whitcomb and athlete Liz Stephen. Both Liz and Matt are Burke alumnae; Liz as a student and Matt as the former Head Nordic Coach. Each is also deeply committed toyoung athletes all across the country improve and enjoy the challenging ride of a cross country skier. Matt was with the camp for the first Eastern Cup JOQ’s, and when he wasn’t waxing skis he was greeting and encouraging starters toeing the line at the great venue at Trapp Family Lodge near Stowe, Vermont. After the Stowe races, the camp moved back to Burke, and more BMA alumnae joined to help. Harry Poole, Kirsten Gill, and Caitlin Curran, all attending Bates College, and Paul Smith from UVM were working one-on-one with each camper. Matt and Liz provided good humored, personal, and seriously focused help to all the athletes.

It was great start to what we hope will be a BMA Christmas Tradition.

Thanks to the US Ski Team for giving staff and team the chance to work with us, Matt and Liz for coming back to Burke on their holiday time, and all the alumnae athletes for giving time back to Burke and to kids getting into the sport. And, of course to the juniors who signed up to race with us and see what BMA was all about.

Pete Phillips is the Head Coach of Burke Mountain Academy